Abstract

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE:

Estrogen in hormone replacement therapy causes homeostatic changes. However, little is known regarding the safety of high-dose phytoestrogen on coagulation and hematological parameters in healthy postmenopausal women. This study evaluated the effects of high-dose soy isoflavone (300 mg/day) on blood pressure, hematological parameters, and coagulation functions including circulating microparticles in healthy postmenopausal women.

METHODS:

The original study is a 2-year prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. In total, 431 postmenopausal women (from 3 medical centers) were randomly assigned to receive either high-dose isoflavone or placebo for 2 years. At baseline, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after treatment, blood pressure, body weight, liver function tests, hematological parameters, and lipid profiles were measured. The 1(st) year blood specimens of 85 cases of 144 eligible participants (from one of the three centers) were analyzed as D-dimer, von Willebrand factor antigen, factor VII, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1, and circulating cellular microparticles, including the measurement of monocyte, platelet, and endothelial microparticles.

RESULTS:

In the isoflavone group, after 1 year, the changes in liver function tests, hematological parameters, and coagulation tests were not different from those of the control. Triglyceride levels were significantly lower after 6 months of isoflavone treatment than the placebo group, but the difference did not persist after 1 year. Endothelial microparticles increased steadily in both groups during the 1-year period but the trend was not affected by treatment.

CONCLUSION:

The results of the present study indicate that high-dose isoflavone treatment (300 mg/day) does not cause hematological abnormalities or activate coagulation factors.